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Seven Braves prospects set to compete in AFL

2014 MLB.com Top Prospects: Kyle Wren is a solid defender and looks like a good bet to become a fourth outfielder, if not more

By Mark Bowman and Teddy Cahill
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MLB.com |

NEW YORK -- Kyle Wren, Edward Salcedo and Aaron Northcraft headline the list of seven Braves prospects who will compete in this year's Arizona Fall League. They will be part of the Peoria Javelinas club that will employ Triple-A Gwinnett's Garey Ingram as its hitting coach.

Jose Peraza has established himself as Atlanta's most intriguing prospect this season and he was a candidate to play in the AFL. But the speedy infielder is instead expected to spend this winter playing in his native Venezuela, where he can be part of a longer season and compile more plate appearances.

Wren has batted .282 with a .699 OPS over 128 combined games for Class A Advanced Lynchburg and Double-A Mississippi this year. The speedy outfielder, who is the son of Atlanta general manager Frank Wren, has been successful with 44 of 58 stolen-base attempts.

Once heralded as a top prospect, Salcedo has struggled at the plate and provided reason to wonder where he would fit from a defensive perspective. The 23-year-old former shortstop has spent most of the past two months playing the outfield. He entered Tuesday hitting .211 with 10 homers and a .655 OPS for Triple-A Gwinnett.

Northcraft opened some eyes when he posted a 2.88 ERA in 13 appearances (12 starts) for Mississippi this year. But since being promoted to Gwinnett, the 24-year-old right-hander has posted a 6.23 ERA in 12 appearances (11 starts).

The other Braves prospects scheduled to play in the AFL include infielder Daniel Castro and right-handed pitchers Brandon Cunniff, Nate Hyatt and Ryne Harper.

Mark Bowman is a reporter for MLB.com. Teddy Cahill is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.